Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Durham Bulls vs. Gwinnett Braves Rained Out

[Via email from Neil Solondz, Durham Bulls Broadcaster.]

(Lawrenceville, GA) Heath Phillips and the Bulls were rained out on Tuesday, giving a depleted Bulls ball club a chance to rest and recover.

Durham (39-26), 9.5 games ahead of the Braves in the South Division, was carrying just 22 players on the roster. Jason Cromer and Elliot Johnson had recently been placed on the DL and Ryan Shealy opted out of his contract. In addition, J.J. Furmaniak was not with the club on Tuesday because his wife is to have the couple’s first child.

That left RHP Richard De Los Santos as the team’s reserve infielder for the third straight night.

The rain also impacted the rehab of Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett, who was scheduled to DH as he returned from a hamstring injury. Bartlett went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk playing seven innings at shortstop for the Bulls on Monday.

LHP Heath Phillips (6-4) now will open Durham’s next series at Louisville Slugger Field against the Louisville Bats (Triple-A for the Reds) on Thursday. Durham is off on Wednesday. Thursday’s game can be heard on 620 the Buzz at 6:50 p.m., with first pitch at 7:05.

The Bulls next visit the Braves from August 13-15. A make-up date for Tuesday’s rainout has not been determined. Gwinnett ended up winning two of three games in the rain-shortened series.